What Is Curb Appeal Really Worth?

A lot of times, when you’re talking about a major renovation to a home, you will hear something about the added curb appeal of the completed project. This is usually in reference to your return on investment when you’re considering how much to spend. Unfortunately, curb appeal is hardly measurable in real numbers, so it’s important to know what it’s really worth if you plan on selling your home. 

 

What Is Curb Appeal? 

 

Curb appeal is the rather subjective measure of how attractive your home appears to passersby from the street level. In the past, this was an important metric when it came to photo books full of houses for sale. Today, curb appeal plays a slightly different role in the real estate market, and its definition has expanded to include more of a “first impression” whether viewing the house from the street or from an initial photograph. Either way, curb appeal is definitely something you want to have.

 

Why It’s Important

 

When you’re in a competitive housing market, curb appeal can be a major factor in getting more potential buyers into your home. If there are tons of houses on the market, it stands to reason that buyers will look at the most attention-grabbing ones first, which typically means the ones that look best on the outside. Of course, if the outside of your home is lacking, your agent may opt for a magazine-worthy image of your glistening kitchen instead to create that first visual impact. The more buyers you get looking at your home, the more likely you are to get a good offer, and the sooner you can go under contract. If you’re waiting to close on another house this can be a lifesaver. 

 

Increasing Curb Appeal

 

There are many ways to increase curb appeal on your house. A fresh exterior with neatly painted trim is a good start. It makes your home look modern, and ensures that it stands out from all the other pictures on the web. In addition, clean landscaping and a beautifully accented entryway can also do the trick. You can even dress up your home’s exterior with ornamental trim, corbels, or shutters from Volterra Architectural Products. These inexpensive changes can not only increase the beauty of your home, but increase its value to potential buyers.

 

 

For more creative ways to add curb appeal to your house, visit Volterra online. We are happy to help you find products that will match your trim and fit the style of your home for added curb appeal. 

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4 Simple Ideas to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel

mantelsAlthough millions of people invest in stylish fireplaces to warm up their living space, very few people manage to exploit the full potential of fireplaces. Some people try and spruce up the architectural exuberance of the fireplace by wrapping a mantel around the fireplace, but this is still not enough. To make the fireplace a focal point in the living room, you need to go a step further and decorate the mantel. Although it is possible to invest in a decorated mantel, it’s challenging to come across a decorative style that resonates with your style and is consistent with the rest of the living room set up. To help you spruce up your living room’s look, here are four simple ideas on how to decorate the fireplace mantel:

Use of Greenery

Most fireplaces are made from dull colors which can easily weigh down the life of any space. To counter the dark colors of the fireplace, invest in greenery which you can place on top of the fireplace mantel. Green flowers are a fresh breath of air in any space and their color always blends in with most design styles. The choice of the flowers depends on your taste, but you should be careful not to stack too many flower pots on the mantel, as this makes the living space look too crowded.

Use Artwork

Have you been looking for a space to pin your family portraits? Are you an artsy person looking for the perfect space to express yourself? The mantel is the ideal place to place photos and other pieces of art to make your space even better.

Add Mirrors

Mirrors not only lighten a space by adding light, but they also make a space appear bigger than it is. Stick up one or two mirrors on your fireplace mantel and let it light up your living space.

Make the Mantel the Home Tech Center

Yes, you can use your television screen and audio speakers to breathe life into the dull fireplace. Mount your TV right above the mantel and place audio speakers on the mantel and you will have yourself a tech center in your living space. Are you looking for architectural products to spruce up your home? Volterra has plenty of options, including interior and exterior products. Contact us today to get started.]]>

Keys to Successful Farmhouse Design

farmhouse designFarmhouse design has become trendy once again, and more people are trying to bring traditional farmhouse features into their suburban homes. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate farmhouse styling in your home, there are a few key areas where you need to focus your energies.

Natural and Neutral Materials

A major staple of farmhouse design is the use of natural wood finishes throughout the space. The good news is that you can purchase faux wood beams, fireplace mantles, and trim which looks just like real wood without costing an arm and a leg or requiring any special skills to install. Once you’ve selected the natural wood finishes you want to showcase, the next step is to choose a few neutral colors that accent the wood’s tone for decorating the rest of the room.

Stay Functional

Farmhouses were all about simplicity and productivity. Thus, when it’s time to select trim and furnishings, make sure you stick to something plain and functional. You don’t want lots of detailed carving or layers on your cabinetry, baseboards or other areas. Clean lines and simple design is what you’re looking for, with lots of open space for easy maneuvering through your home. The best farmhouse designs are accomplished when you ditch the fussy details and go for something straightforward. Volterra Architectural Products is here to help you design your new farmhouse style home with matching trim and accents made from high quality HDF materials. Visit us online today to learn more.]]>

Add Comfort with a Faux Wood Mantle this Winter

faux wood fireplace mantel adds a nice touch for family photos, festive holiday cards, warm candles, and gift stockings. Every fireplace, whether gas, wood-burning, or even the electric kind, deserves a mantle. Without one, it’s just not complete. Volterra has a faux wood fireplace mantle to suit any home décor, whether your fireplace facade is brick, stone, wood, or faux wood. Volterra’s faux wood mantles are constructed from a high-density polyurethane foam (HDF) and forged from natural wood. This means they’re actually molded with the exact same details as natural wood. For example, the wood grain and texture of a Volterra’s faux wood is crafted to match real wood. Volterra’s faux wood products are just like the real thing in appearance, but they’re much lighter, making them a breeze to install and much more affordable. Volterra Architectural Products offers a range of faux wood products that can give your living space a fresh new look. Visit our catalog today to see our full collection and get ideas from our portfolio. For more information, contact us at 602-253-7373.]]>

Finish Your Bathroom Redesign With Volterra

Crown Mouldings Crown mouldings add elegance to any bathroom redesign. Not only do mouldings make a bathroom appear more refined, but they also add visual interest to walls that may be bland or bare.  

Shutters

Many bathroom redesign projects seek to create a space that feels private but not cramped or closed-off. Adding shutters to your bathroom windows creates an additional layer of privacy without cutting off natural light.  

Window and Door Trim

Like crown mouldings, window and door trims make rooms feel more elegant and finished. Incorporating trims that are similar to the architectural products you already have in other rooms can lead to a bathroom redesign that ties your whole home aesthetic together.  

Ceiling Beams

Adding ceiling beams can be an exciting bathroom redesign project for expansive spaces or attic bathrooms — especially if you love a rustic or traditional design aesthetic. Faux wood beams replicate the look of natural wood with less maintenance and greater durability.   Volterra Architectural Products offers a wide range of architectural products that can help you create the unique, luxurious bathroom redesign of your dreams. With mouldings, shutters, trims, and beams for any size space, Volterra can help you create a bathroom aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home. For redesign ideas for any room of your house, visit their online gallery.]]>

What are High Density Foam Products?

HDF Wood Beam Products One of the most common types of high density foam products is wood beams. HDF wood beams are made specifically for decorative purposes, and easily replicate the look of sturdy ceiling beams or trusses at only a fraction of the weight. They are extremely easy to install and secure without fear of damaging the ceiling structure.  

HDF Outdoor Planks

High density foam products are also ideal for use outside because they are not subject to rotting or breaking down like real wood. As such, you will see these products in spaces such as the ceilings of covered patio spaces. The finish on HDF planks is baked on at the time of manufacture, so they can stand the test of time even under bright sunshine or extreme weather.   Volterra Architectural Products carries a wide range of high density foam products for your home’s interior and exterior. From your window trim to your floor boards, high density foam is a perfect solution that is both durable and easy to work with. Visit Volterra’s online gallery to see more of these products in action.]]>

Why You Should Use HDF Corbels in Your House

foam corbelsSince time immemorial, corbels have been used as not just support structures but decorative elements which add life to otherwise lifeless construction. Over the years, corbels have undergone massive changes in both the composition of the corbel material and the decorative details on the corbels. We moved from the medieval stone corbels to wooden corbels, and we are now seeing a dominance of high density foam corbels. Although not as structurally strong as stone or wood, foam corbels are just as effective as the two, and they have their advantages which have seen millions of people fall in love with them. If you are in the market for corbels, here are reasons why foam corbels should be your go-to option:

Authentic Beauty

Whether you are looking to achieve the rustic look of natural wood or want a contemporary personalized style, foam corbels will help you achieve the look of your dreams. Foam corbels are highly customizable to help you achieve the elegance your house needs.

Durability

Foam corbels are very durable and will withstand the elements for years. Corbels are very solid and structurally sound. Whether you intend to use them as door corbels, window corbels or even wall corbels, they will stand strong for many years.

More Versatile than Wood and Stone

Foam corbels are more versatile compared to wood and stone. Foam is very easy to work with, and you can customize it into different designs and add more elements to the corbels. With their versatility, you can use foam corbels in a range of spaces without them looking out of place.

Economical

Foam corbels are more affordable than their wooden and stone counterparts. For all their versatility and beauty, you won’t have to break the bank. You can buy them at very affordable rates and use them to build your dream home. Want the best foam corbels for renovations or building a new home? Give us a call here at Volterra for the best foam corbels in the market.]]>

4 Benefits of High Density Foam

High density polyurethane foam products have grown in popularity in the build and design industry and it really doesn’t come as a surprise. They are steadily replacing the love for natural wood and other interior design materials which dominated the industry for a long time.

 


 

At Volterra Architectural Products, we utilize quality high density foam to create faux wood beams, trusses, and other architectural details.  In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what high density foam is and the benefits it offers.

 

What is High Density Foam?

High density foam is a type of polyurethane foam that is known for its high strength and durability. It is often used in construction and industrial applications where strength and stability are key. High density foam is also popular in the design world due to its ability to be shaped and molded into almost any form. This makes it the perfect material for creating faux wood beams, trusses, and other architectural details, which is why we utilize it here at Volterra. 

Durable

High density foam is highly durable and will stand the test of time. Unlike wood, it will not warp, rot, or crack and is not susceptible to insect damage. Products manufactured with this material can last for over 20 years. The solid nature of the material also makes it usable in demanding outdoor environments.

Versatile

High density foam products are versatile and can be used for a variety of applications. They can be cut, sawed, glued, screwed, and painted to create the desired look. Plus, as mentioned, it can be molded into almost any shape, making it the perfect material for use in architecture and design. Products can also be easily customized with different looks, designs and even colors.

Affordable

It’s no secret that lumber prices have been on the rise in recent years. Fortunately, high density foam products offer a much more budget-friendly alternative to natural wood. In fact, foam products are typically 30-50% cheaper than their wood counterparts. The money you save on materials can be invested elsewhere in your project.

FAUX CEILING BEAM IDEAS FOR ANY INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES

Lightweight 

High density foam products are also much lighter than natural wood, making them much easier to work with. This can be a big advantage when it comes to the installation process. Volterra’s faux wood beams that are manufactured with high density foam, for example, will not come with the same installation hassle of real wood ceiling beams. 

As you can see, there are many benefits to using high density foam products. You can find products that fit just about any application, but for those related to your interior needs, look no further than Volterra Architectural Products. We utilize high density foam to create faux wood beams, trusses, and other architectural details that are not only beautiful but also highly durable and cost-effective. Shop today!

3 Exterior Design Tips for Your Home

1. Accentuate windows and doors with trims Beyond landscaping and the roof of your home, the front door and windows are the first things people notice when they approach any house. The last thing you want is for your front door and windows to lack character and give your guests a bad impression about your home.  It only takes the addition of high quality trim to your front door and windows from Volterra Architectural Products to give your home charm and personality that will make a lasting first impression to your guests.

2. Add much needed curb appeal to your home using corbels and brackets

Add some much needed curb appeal to your property by using our lavish and intricately designed decorative exterior brackets and corbels. The corbels can be used just below the roof or around the corners and edges of the house and will add subtle character to the walls.

3. Vents- simple, effective and eye-catching

As much as vents are a necessity for ventilation, they can also be a  good decorative element for the exterior. Peruse through the range of vents we have here in Volterra and choose the type and design of vents which will help eliminate the monotony of plain walls. Volterra Architectural Products offers a variety of products that can give your home an updated look. Help your home stand out from the crowd by contacting us on our website of by calling 602-258-7373.]]>

Buying a Custom Mantel for Your Fireplace

mantel is that you get a piece that is unique and helps to express your inner self and your personal taste. A custom fireplace mantel not only brings a sense of utility to the otherwise empty space around the fireplace but also accentuates the other pieces around the fireplace giving the room a good ambience. It also adds functional space for displaying family portraits or artwork. Choosing the right mantel means balancing design and cost.

Size

You definitely don’t want a mantel so big that it will take away from the fireplace. Nor do you need a small mantel that will only make the fireplace look unfinished and clumsy. Choose a decent size mantel that extends beyond the fireplace by a few inches on either side, or that fits the fireplace surround.

Material

Wooden mantels are the best when it comes to accentuating fireplaces. The good thing about opting for wood is the fact that it can be easily stained or painted to match the surrounding décor in your house, and offset any stonework or other tile in the background. Faux wood mantels, which come in a variety of wood grain textures and stains, are a great choice because they are less expensive and very easy to install.  You have the option of metal and marble as well, although at a much steeper price.

Budget

Depending on the style, design and material used to make the custom mantel, you can spend anything from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. You therefore need to be mindful of your budget before you consider making a purchase. The actual dimensions of your mantel will determine how much you spend, as well as any design details that are added to the surface. Volterra Architectural Products offers faux wood mantels in several sizes that can be accented with corbels, moulding and other products to create a completely unique finish for your home. Don’t spend another day with a drab fireplace. Turn it into an inviting gathering place.  Call Volterra at 602-258-7373 or visit their showroom in Phoenix, Arizona to see a variety of mantels and other specialty architectural products.]]>